THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, FEBRUARY 3, 1907.
WATER BOARD AND
CITIZENS
CONFER
Policies That Would Complete
ly Revolutionize System
Discussed.
ALL LEFT TO THE PEOPLE
?!
Resolutions Which Favor' Radical
Changes in Charter Passed at
Meeting of City Officials
and Improvement Club.
INDORSED BY JOINT COMMIT
TEE AND BOARD.
That vote be taken upon Uauins
bonds to extend water system,
bonds to be met by taxation of
property adjacent to mains.
That vote be taken upon issuing
bonds of $2,500,000 lor construction
of second Bull Run pipeline.
That referendum vote be taken
upon compelling city to pay for water
used for municipal purposes.
That referendum vote be taken
upon taxing property not to exceed
(5 for each are hydrant in city.
That Water Board proceed Imme
diately to put In meters throughout
city and charge a flat meter rate.
Pollclra which, if adopted, would
completely revolutionize the water
system of Portland were suggested
yesterday afternoon at the Joint meet
ing of the water board and representa
tives of the various Improvement clubs
of the city, hold at the City Hall. The
changes were for the must part recom
mended In resolutions that proposed
amendments to the charter be submit
ted to the people at the city election
next June. There was a large attend
ance and a majority of the resolutions
wore adopted by unanimous vote.
The most Important recommendation
was that tho charter he amended so as
to throw tlo cost of extending the
water system directly upon property
owners. Instead of upon consumers, as
t the present time. According to the
amendment proposed. no property
would he HHsesficd for the lnylngr of
mains, except holdings that have water
service available, but all property,
whether vacant or Improved, having
such facilities, would have to pay the
tax. Where adjacent to mains, vacant
property would have to pay an annual
tax, and In cases of improved property
the tax would bo paid together with
the regular water rate. This assess
ment would be so apportioned as, in
the aggregate, to meet the expense of
extending the system. The actual cost
of distribution would remain, as at
present, upon the consumer.
Of more Immediate interest, how
ever, Is the policy indorsed of install
ing meters throughout the city and
charging consumers a flat rate for
water. It was recommended that the
board proceed at once to carry out this
policy, as no charter amendment is
necessary, as In the case of the other
changes brought up. It was left with
the- board to devise methods of raising
the $300,000 necessary for the installa
tion of meters.
Compel City to ray.
In line with the scheme to place a
portion of the tax foe the water sys
tem upon property was the charter
amendment proposed that the city be
compelled to pay for water used for
municipal purposes. There is now a
charter provision giving the water
board authority to charge the city, but
the Council has constantly refused to
vote the appropriation. The effect of
fortlng fhe payment of this charge,
which amounts to about $60,000 a year,
would be to raise that proportion of
the cost of maintenance by a general
tax.
It was also voted to Introduce an
nmendment to tax property directly to
raise not to exceed 15 for each fire hy
drant in the city. This would shift the
cost of water for lire protection, to a
certain extent, from consumers to property-owners.
The proposal to build a new pipeline to
Bull Run was brought up. It was th
general opinion that plans should be laid
now for such an extension, leaving to
the discretion of the Water Board the
exact time when such line should be
built. A resolution was adopted, how
ever, favoring a vote upon the question
at the election next June. The new line
Is estimated to cost J2.500.000. and it would
be necessary to bond the city to that ex
tent. Mayor Lane presided, and set forth
briefly the purposes of the meeting. He
declared that under the present system
of charging consumers, it would be Im
possible to extend the system as if should
be at the present rates. He also called
attention to what he termed he injus
tice of the system In that owners of
vacant property get the benefits of main
extensions without paying any portion
of the cost. He also asserted that the
most urgent need is a check upon the
waste as at present from 22.000.000 to 27,
000,000 gallons of water are dally brought
Into the city, sufficient If properly used
to meet the requirements of twice the
present population.
Plans to Check Waste.
In accordance with the suggestions of
the Mayor, the nm matter taken up was
the checking of the present waste. It
was the unanimous opinion that the
remedy lay in the meter system and it
was voted that the board be advised
to purchase and install meters for all
consumers. It was estimated that 25.000
meters would be required, of which 3000
are now in use. This would mean an ex
pense of $300,000, and to raise this amount
it was suggested that each consumer be
requlred to deposit an amount equal to
the cost of his meter. No action was
taken upon this suggestion, but the fol
lowing resolution, introduced by Frank
J. Perkins, was passed:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
meeting that It Is advisable for the Water
Board to Immediately proceed to meter the
city and charge therefor a flat rate of say
50 cents per month for service of 3000 gal
Jons per month for a family of five persons,
and over that amount be charged for at a
certain rate per 100O gallons, to be fixed
by the Water Board.
The greatest diversity of opinion was
expressed on the question of assessing
the cost for the extension of mains.
R. B. Lamson outlined the system of a
frontage tax. which embodies In sub
stance the recommendation subsequently
made. Under this system all property
adjacent to a water main is required to
pay a tax for the extension of mains.
Upon vacant and improved property this
; tax is uniform, but consumers In addi
tion are required to pay for water an
amount equal to the actual cost of dis
tribution. ' ,
. The suggestion was opposed by Dr. C;
H. Raffety, who offered as a substitute
a system that he advocates. Under
the receipts from consumers would be
used, as they now are, to pay for the
laying of mains less than 10 inches iji
diameter, known as laterals. For larger
pipes, known as reinforcing mains, he
would pay the cost by district assess
ments of all property benefited. The
original suggestion was, however, adopted
in the form of the following resolution
Introduced by W. O. Harris: ,
Resolved. That It is the sense of this
meeting that an amendment be prepared, to
be submitted to the people at the next gen
eral election, authorizing the Water Board
to issue bonds fcr all extensions of mains,
providing for Interest and sinking fund by
levying a front-foot assessment on all real
property served by mains within the city
limits, such assessment to be included wh
the regular water rate where such real
property Is served with water.
W. D. Hart, the newly appointed mem
ber of the Board, who was present for
the first time, was strong in his opposi
tion to the resolution. He declared that
It was hardly less unjust than the pres
ent system.
'I cannot support a motion to tax all
property equally for the extension of
mains, ' he said. "Under this system a
lot in the suburbs worth $1000 would pay
as much as a lot on Washington street
with its improvements worth nearly a
half million dollars. There is no Justice
in that, for surely the benefit to the
valuable property is the greater."
Overcomes His Objections.
The objections of Mr. Hart were in
part overcome by resolutions subsequently
adopted aiming to throw additional cost
of water for municipal purposes upon
property according to its actual value.
The first of these resolutions, aimed to
force the city to pay for the water used
so that this cost would be met by general
tax, follows:
Resolved. That it is the sense of this
meeting that an amendment to the charter
be prepared forcing the City Council to pay
to the Water Department the regular
charges which the charter authorizes the
Water Department to charge the city.
A second resolution of the same charac
ter was then Introduced., its purpose be
ing to have property pay for water for
fire protection, proportionate to the value
of the holding. It follows:
Resolved. That It Is the sense of this
meeting that an -amendment to the charter
be prepared to authorize the taxation of all
property so as to provide a sum not to
exceed $5 per hydrant for each fire hydrant
now Installed and to be hereafter, such
hydrants to be furnished and set in place
and controlled by the Water Board.
The resolution to bring to a vote of the
people the matter of bonding the city
for a second pipeline to Bull Run was
passed with little opposition. It follows:
-.Vote- on 'ew Pipe Ijine.
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
meeting that the question of a bond issue
for $2,500,000 be submitted to the people at
the next general election to provide for a
new Bull Run pipeline and the necessary
reservoirs, such line to be completed at
the discretion of the Water Board; what
ever portion may be unueed to be used for
extending malnp.
Throughout the entire session not a
voice was raised in behalf of the scheme
for "free water," which is to be submit
ted to the people in June. On the other
hand there was decided opposition to any
plan of that character. That the meas
ures embodied in the resolutions would
permit of a considerable reduction in the
water rate and thus end all agitation for
free water appeared to be the opinion of
those present.
The meeting adjourned to convene again
at a date not set, for further consider
ation of the questions brought up. To
draft the resolutions in legal form and
present them to the Water Board the
following committee was appointed: W. O.
Harris, C. Ben Riesland, Thomas G
Greene, George E. Crump and Councilman
V aughn.
Among those present besides members
of the Water Board were the following
delegates: C. H. Tavke, Midway Im
provement Association; George E. Crump,
Northeast Improvement Club; J. H.
Nolta. North Albina Club; M. H. Carter.
University Park Board of Trade; W. M.
Deveny, Montavilla Board of Trade;
Cameron Groat, Central Addition Im
provement Association: Frank J. Perkins,
Mount Tabor Improvement Association;
Thomas G. Greene and C. A. Ambrose,
Woodlawn Push Club; W. O. Haines,
Holladay Park Improvement Association:
L. M. Davis, Multnomah Improvement
Association; J., W. Campbell, Sellwood
Board of Trade.
STREETCAR WRECKS AUTOS
Two Passengers in the Machine Are
Slightly Injured.
A large automobile, owned by J. B.
Kelly and driven by Chris Dundee, was
nearly demolished in a collision with
a streetcar at the comer of Sixth and
Washington streets about 10 o'clock last
night. Two men, who occupied the
rear seat in the auto, were shaken up
and bruised, but not seriously. They
were taken to a drug store on the cor
ner, where they were attended by Dr.
Swenson. Later they went to the Port
land Hotel, where they are stopping.
The driver of the machine did not
know the names of his fares.
The motorman's face was cut by fly
ing glass, but nobody else in the car
was Injured. The automobile was near
ly ruined, the tonneau was smashed,
a rear wheel broken and the entire
front splintered.
The streetcar which caused the acci
dent was in charge of Motorman G.
W. Colson, and was west bound at
the time. The automobile was coming
down Sixth street, headed north. The
auto had all but passed over the track
safely, when the car caught the rear
wheel of the machine. This caused
the auto to swerve completely around,
and the hood of the machine Btruck the
car.
The motorman did not ring his bell
at the crossing, though when he struck
the auto the car was running 15 miles
an hour.
MISSION GETS GOLD FIND
Judgment Given for $260,000
Against Fortunate Missionary.
ABILENE, Kan... Feb. 2. Judgment
was given today for $260,000 in the
District Court here by transcript from
the Illinois courts against Peter An
derson, of Chicago, the Klondike mil
lionaire. In favor of Nelt Hultberg,
representing the Swedish Mission So
ciety. Anderson was its missionary
when he found gold, and the society al
leges that it owns the find. It will
try to secure $50,000 worth of land
in this county If the Supreme Court
affirms the judgment.
FIGHT FIRE FOR FOUR DAYS
Crew of El Alba Have Long, Hard
Battle on Atlantic.
NEW YORK. Feb. 2. The Southern Pa.
cine freight steamer El Alba arrived in
port tonight from Galveston with fire in
her lower hold, with which her crew had
been battling for four days. The fire was
practically extinguished late tonight. The
extent of the damage is not yet known.
Aga still Expedition Off.
NEW YORK Feb. 2. The steam yacht
Virginia, carrying the scientific expe
dition of Professor A. Agassiz, of Cam-
Physician Discovers
Regular Epidemic
His Family Took It at a Brother's East
Side Home. Symptoms and
Treatment.
"I have discovered and classified a new disease," said a physi
cian to us the other day. "The symptoms are," he continued,
"always exactly alike, and the diagnosis is very easy. It affects
old and young alike, and all my family are taken with it. The
patient betrays an intense desire for music, and there is great
warmth and enthusiasm in speech. I have named this disease
'Pianolapianomia.' "
Our medical friend did not overstate the case. The epidemic
' was carried to his family through the closest association with a
Metrostyle Pianola-Piano in the house of a relative. In such cases
there is but one cure to purchase a Pianola-Piano for oneself.
No one who familiarizes himself with this wonderful instrument
but wishes to own one.
With the genuine Pianola-Piano any one can play without hav
ing knowledge of the keyboard. Through the aid of music rolls
and treadles the non-player can quickly become a satisfactory per
former, playing at will classical, popular, dance, vocal, instru
mental or any other class of music.
This instrument in the home changes a place that may have
been dull before into one in which there need never be a dull
minute, for music is at command, for piano-playing is within the
reach of all.
This instrument is not only a piano for playing by the non
player, but it is also a superb instrument for playing by hand in
the usual way. It is really two pianos in one.
We will mail catalogue containing fine halftone pictures of the
various styles to any address on request. We can take your pres
ent piano in part payment, and can arrange to receive the differ
ence in easy sums month by month.
We venture to say that if you will but examine this instrument
for yourself, that "Pianolapianomia" will manifest itself in your
home in the most virulent form.
Beware Of imitations. See the genuine Pianola-Pianos at
pinorali&LU2y
THE HOUSE OP HIGHEST QUALITY
BIGGEST, BUSIEST AND BETTER THAN EVER
353 WASHINGTON STREET.
bridge, Mass., to the West Indies; sailed
today from South Brooklyn. The most
interesting feature of the work will be
the study of seismic disturbances in the
neighborhood of Jamaica. Another im
portant mission is deep-sea soundings and
dredging, and the study of ocean tempera
tures. After touching at Charleston tq
take the professor aboard, the Virginia
will proceed to Porto Rico and thence to
St. Thomas.
DAILY CITY STATISTICS
Births.
BUFFOM At 309V4 First street. Jan. 28.,
wife of P. E. Buffom, a daughter.
CLAUSEN At 222 East Thirty-seventh,
Jan. 4, wife of Claus Clausen, a daugh
ter. FOWLER At 468 East Yamhill street,
Jan. 26, wife of Elmer E. Fowler, a son.
GREEN At 379 Victoria street. Jan. 8,
wife of James N. Greene, a daughter.
HARDING At 805 East Tenth street
North, wife of Jack Harding, a daugh
ter. HURT At Portland Maternity Hospital,
Jan. 31. wife of Charles W. Hurt, a son.
KELLER At 7(2 East Eighth street N.,
Jan. 20. wife of Daniel Keller, a son.
KOCHER At 692 Quimby street, Jan. 30,
wife of F. Kocher. a son.
LOVELAND At 37314 East Mill St., Jan.
16, wife of Edward J. Loveland, a son.
McCULLOGH At 361' East Couch St.,
Jan. 25, wife of James W. McCulloch,
a son.
NAMATIL At 748 Fourteenth st, Jan.
8. wife of A. V. Namatil, a son.
NELSON At 8S8 East Tenth st. N., Jan.
28. wife of Ernest A. Nelson, a son.
NELSON At 398 Sacramento st, Jan. 4,
wife of Fred Nelson, a son.
OLESON At Rose City Station, Jan. 26,
wife of John Oleson, a son.
REISNER At 140 East Seventeenth at,
Jan. 20, wife, of Charles C. Reisner, a
son.
SCHMEER At 19 East Thirty-second st,
Jan. 29, wife of R. M. Schmeer, a son.
TURELL At 455 Willamette ave., Jan.
22. wife of Ned W. Turell, a son.
VORGI-At 752 East Thirteenth st N.,
' Jan. 19. wife of Louis Vorgl, a son.
WARDNER At 804 Wasco St., Jan. 28,
wife ot George H. Wardner, a daugh
ter. WOODSON At 464Vi East Burnside St.,
Jan. 20, wife of j William C. Woodson,
, a son.
Deaths.
CO RB ET T At Good Samaritan Hospital.
Jan. 30. Michael Corbett, aged 40 vears.
KRONER At Sixteenth and Ford st,
Jan.' 30. Sebastian J. Kroner, an infant.
McDANEL At 895 Taylor st, Jan. 30,
Katie-McDanel, a native of California,
. aged 46 years, 11 months, 2 days.
Building , Permits.
IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH Repair
, church, Mead St., between First and
Second. $300.
A. L, Ti BBETTS Repair office, Yamhill
st, between First and Second, $100.
J. A. GRAEF 1-story frame dwelling,
East Twenty-first st, between Going
and Wygart, J1000.
E. W. MUTCH Repair store. East Bum
side St., between Union and Grand
aves. $150.
F. M. LOFTISS I-story frame tool
house, - Alnsworth st.t between East
Tenth and Eleventh, $65.
OLE WOGBO 1-story frame dwelling,
Willamette boulevard and Fremont
st. $1600.
TROY LAUNDRY CO. Two-story brick
laundry, Flanders street, between
Eighth and Ninth, $25,000.
MASON KHBHAN & CO. Seven-story.
brick warehouse, Everett street, be
tween Fourth and Fifth, $90,000.
E. E. MILLER 2-story frame dwelling,
612 Commercial st.. S1S0O.
"What Optician
Will I Go To?"
With those who have Investigated the
optical situation, there can be but one
answer go to the Oregon Optical Co.
and you can depend upon getting the
best service, the lowest prices and the
highest grade of spectacles. Examination
free.
Oregon Optical Co.
Exclusive Opticians
173 Fourth St., Y. M. C. A. Bldg.
EXPOSITION RINK
19th and Washington Streets.
The Most Popular Place of
Amusement in the City.
ROLLER
SKATING
MORNING, AFTERNOON AND
. EVENING.
No admission charg-ed at
morning session. Skates 25c.
Ladies and children admitted
free at afternoon session.
Skates 25c.'
Admission 10c, evening ses
sion. Skates, 25c.
20,00 square feet of maple
floor. Best skates. Steam heat.
Parsons' Orchestra. Free in
struction. Come Skate With the Crowds.
ANNOUNCEMENT
THE MOYER CLOTHING CO.
announces the purchase of the
entire STOCK, FIXTURES,
GOOD WILL, ETC. of the
C. P. BISHOP
SALEM WOOLEN MILLS STORE
This entire stock, without re
serve, will be
CLOSED OUT
at cost and less
Due announcement of the opening
of the sale will be made in the
evening papers
SALESMEN WANTED
THIRD
AND
OAK
ave You Had a
Sleigh Rifle?
We Can Furnish the Sleigh
STUDEBAKER BROS. CO., NORTHWEST
CARRIAGES - WAGONS - HARNESS
330-36 East Morrison Street Portland, Oregon
E. M. BRANNICK, Vice-President and General Manager
TR
OUBLES
Consult a reliable optician, one who can refer you to hundreds of other satisfied pa
tients. In- selecting this store for optical service you're getting the benefit of a graduate
and registered optician and a thoroughly equipped optical department. In fact, we have
held the reputation for years as having the most reliable and modern optical department in
the West. Absolute satisfaction guaranteed with each pair of glasses fitted. We have just
added to our optical department one of the most modern machines for fitting glasses.
272
WASHINGTON
NEAR
FOURTH
LEFFE
Jrv
T'S
PORTLAND, OR.
AND COUNCIL
BLUFFS,
IOWA
SCIENTIFIC OPTICIANS